Pepper Bego

The Annual PHA Plan for the City of Concord Housing Department outlines its mission, goals, and objectives for serving low-, very low-, and extremely low-income families by detailing its policies, operations, programs, and services. Key initiatives include addressing identified housing needs through reducing vacant unit downtime, increasing resident access to resource information, and fostering local partnerships. The plan also focuses on enhancing housing opportunities by collaborating with the Community Development division, implementing an updated Family Self-Sufficiency Action Plan, proceeding with demolition and modernization efforts, and administering various housing choice vouchers. The department is committed to improving operational efficiency, ensuring compliance with HUD regulations, and enhancing internal and external communication to achieve its mission of providing safe, decent, and affordable housing.

The Work Session Meeting included several key agenda items and public hearings. Presentations featured a Proclamation recognizing National Pollinator Week. Public hearings addressed combining two prior economic development grant agreements for TWG GM Performance Power Units, LLC, offering a new economic development incentive grant to K & D Properties Union, LLC for commercial upfit, considering an annexation agreement with the Town of Harrisburg, and receiving public comments on the proposed FY 2025-2026 budget. Discussions also covered recognizing the Allen Mills Homeowners Association in the Partnership for Stronger Neighborhoods program, authorizing the issuance of an RFQ for Architectural and Engineering Services for the North Hangar Development, awarding a bid for fiber optic network labor services to Broadlinx Telecom Inc., purchasing distribution padmount transformers from WESCO Distribution Inc., entering an agreement with NCDOT for roadway lighting installation at an interchange, awarding the annual street preservation program bid to Ferebee Corporation, adopting an ordinance amendment to align service methods in the City Code, amending the Water and Wastewater Utilities code sections regarding volume charges and cross-connection control, authorizing a water sales contract extension with the Town of Harrisburg, adopting changes to the Sewer Allocation Policy, and considering a preliminary application for water service outside the City limits. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss business locations and personnel matters.

The City Council Work Session addressed several key agenda items. Discussions included the presentation of a proclamation recognizing Public Power Week. A departmental update on the Parks and Recreation Bond was noted, with further details scheduled for a subsequent meeting. The Council considered tabling an amendment to the NOVI Economic Development Agreement pending clarification on affordable housing commitments and ensuring representation from NOVI at the next meeting. A resolution regarding the amendment of the City Manager's authority to handle Public Housing Authority operations, including delegation for summary ejectment proceedings, was discussed, with a request for clarification on practices in other cities. The Council reviewed a resolution in support of the RRB Beverage Operations, Inc Project, which involves necessary improvements to a rail spur, funded partly by NCDOT. The body considered authorizing the City Manager to execute contracts and approve budget amendments for the construction of the Poplar Tent Area Water Pump Station, noting significant cost increases due to required site work. Authorization for a contract amendment with Hazen and Sawyer for construction administration on the pump station was also reviewed. The 2026 funding request from WeBuild Concord for affordable housing, detailing plans for Kerr Street and Corbin Avenue projects, was presented. Finally, the Council appointed Council Member Hubbard to the WeBuild Board of Directors, filling a vacancy created by a change in Council Member McKenzie's role.

The meeting initiated the agenda for 2026, which includes presentations from the Finance Department in February, discussions on housing and potential collaboration with Down Home in March, a tentative focus on Code Enforcement in April, and transportation in May. Key discussion points included planning for the annual report presentation to city council next month, addressing the vacancy of a co-chair position following Bob's departure, and noting the current chair's intent not to renew. A member strongly suggested that the group receive training on structural racism to enhance effectiveness. The committee also discussed the growing issue of the unhoused population in Cabarrus County, which will be included in the housing discussion. Efforts are being made to resolve technical difficulties related to meeting links and reminders for members. Members affirmed their commitment to remaining on the committee for 2026.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the addition of a Martin Luther King, Jr. proclamation to the agenda and presentations of retirement plaques to three city employees. Departmental reports covered a Parks and Recreation Bond Update. Public hearings resulted in the adoption of a resolution to close and abandon the right-of-way for two unopened areas at the intersection of Hermitage Dr. SE and Winfield Blvd. SE. The Council also conducted a public hearing and adopted an ordinance annexing approximately 13.40 acres for the extension of a quarry's overburden storage area. Furthermore, the Council adopted an ordinance amending Articles 3, 5, and 14 of the Concord Development Ordinance concerning zoning amendments, subdivision plats, and definitions. Other significant actions involved authorizing contracts for police law enforcement services funded by ABC sales, updating Rules and Regulations and General Aviation Minimum Standards for the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, approving a change order for the North General Aviation A1 TaxiLane Rehabilitation, authorizing a contract for the Laurel Park Pump Station Elimination, approving a change order for the Rocky River Clubhouse Renovation project, and adopting a resolution authorizing an eminent domain action for property acquisition for affordable housing purposes.